Deposit accepting method and apparatus for automated banking machine

ABSTRACT

An automated banking machine ( 10 ) includes a deposit accepting apparatus ( 44 ) which is capable of accepting and authenticating instruments, as well as accepting envelopes deposited into the machine by a user. A transport section ( 46 ) is operative to engage and transport deposited items selectively from an inlet ( 48 ) to an outlet ( 50 ). A deposit holding module ( 90 ) includes compartments ( 98, 106 ) which are operative to hold different types of deposits. The machine operates to selectively move a compartment into communication with the outlet based on the particular type of item being deposited. The depository apparatus is further operative to acquire image and magnetic profile data from deposited instruments, to manipulate the image and profile data and to analyze and resolve characters in selected areas thereof. The data from deposited instruments is used for determining if a user is authorized to conduct certain requested transactions at the machine.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional application of co-pending U.S.application Ser. No. 09/723,304 filed Nov. 27, 2000 which claims benefitpursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of Provisional Application 60/167,996filed Nov. 30, 1999, the disclosures of each of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to automated banking machines. Specifically thisinvention relates to devices and systems which receive deposits ofindividual sheets such as checks and other instruments, as well as itemssuch as envelopes, into an automated banking machine.

BACKGROUND ART

Automated banking machines are known in the prior art. Automated bankingmachines are commonly used to carry out transactions such as dispensingcash, checking account balances, paying bills and/or receiving depositsfrom users. Other types of automated banking machines may be used topurchase tickets, to issue coupons, to present checks, to print scripand/or to carry out other functions either for a consumer or a serviceprovider. For purposes of this description any device which is used forcarrying out transactions involving transfers of value shall be referredto as an automated banking machine.

Automated banking machines often have the capability of acceptingdeposits from users. Such deposits may include items such as envelopescontaining checks, credit slips, currency, coin or other items of value.Mechanisms have been developed for receiving such items from the userand transporting them into a secure compartment within the bankingmachine. Periodically a service provider may access the interior of themachine and remove the deposited items. The content and/or value of thedeposited items are verified so that a credit may be properly applied toan account of the user or other entity on whose behalf the deposit hasbeen made. Such depositories often include printing devices which arecapable of printing identifying information on the deposited item. Thisidentifying information enables the source of the item to be tracked andcredit for the item correlated with the proper account after the item isremoved from the machine.

Many automated banking machines accept deposits from users in envelopes.Because the contents of the envelope is not verified at the time ofdeposit, the user's account cannot be credited for the deposit until theenvelope is retrieved from the machine and the contents thereofverified. Often this must be done by persons who work for a financialinstitution. Delays in crediting a user's account may be experienced dueto delays in removing deposits from machines, as well as the time ittakes to review deposited items and enter appropriate credits. If thedeposited items include instruments such as checks, further delays maybe experienced. This is because after the instruments are removed fromthe machine they must be presented for payment to the appropriateinstitution. If the instrument is not honored or invalid the depositingcustomer's account cannot be credited for the deposit. Alternatively insituations where a credit has been made for a deposited instrument thatis subsequently dishonored, the user's account must be charged theamount of the credit previously given. In addition the user commonlyincurs a “bad check” fee due to the cost associated with the institutionhaving to handle a dishonored deposit. All of these complications mayresult in delays and inconvenience to the user.

Another risk associated with conventional depositories in automatedbanking machines is that deposited items may be misappropriated. Becausedeposited checks and other instruments are not cancelled at the time ofreceipt by the automated banking machine, they may be stolen from themachine and cashed by unauthorized persons. Criminals may attempt tobreak into the machine to obtain the items that have been stored in thedepository. Alternatively persons responsible for transporting itemsfrom the machine or persons responsible for verifying the items maymisappropriate deposited instruments and currency. Alternatively thehandling required for transporting and verifying the contents ofdeposits may result in deposited instruments being lost. Suchcircumstances can result in the user not receiving proper credit fordeposited items.

To reduce many of the drawbacks associated with conventionaldepositories which receive deposits in the form of envelopes or otheritems, automated devices that can read and cancel deposited instrumentshave been developed. An example of such a device is shown in U.S. Pat.No. 5,540,425 which is owned by a wholly owned subsidiary of theAssignee of the present invention. Such devices are capable of readingthe coding on checks or other deposited items. For example bank checksinclude magnetic ink coding commonly referred to as “micr”. The micrcoding on a check can be used to identify the institution upon which thecheck is drawn. The coding also identifies the account number of theuser and the check number. This coding commonly appears in one orseveral areas on the instrument. Reading this coding in the automatedbanking machine enables the machine operator to determine the source ofchecks or other instruments that have been presented.

Imaging devices may also be used in processing instruments. Such imagingdevices may be used to produce data corresponding to an image of theitem that has been deposited. This image may be reviewed to determinethe nature of the deposited item, and along with the information thatcan be obtained from the coding on the instrument allows processing ofthe credit to the user much more readily. Automated instrumentprocessing systems also may provide the capability of printing anindication that the check or other instrument has been deposited andcancelled after it has been received. This reduces the risk that theinstrument will subsequently be misappropriated and cashed byunauthorized persons.

While automated deposit accepting and processing devices provide manyadvantages and benefits, existing devices also have drawbacks. Onedrawback is that instruments must be precisely aligned for purposes ofreading micr coding or other indicia which is included on theinstrument. This commonly requires special mechanisms to preciselyposition and align the instrument with the reading devices included inthe device. A further drawback associated with some existing devices isthat they are required to turn and reorient the deposited instrument.The mechanisms for doing this can be complex. Such complex mechanismsmay encounter reliability problems due to the precise tolerances thatmust be maintained. Further difficulty is added by the fact thatinstruments that are received may be creased, torn or soiled. Handlingsuch items may be difficult. Instruments becoming jammed in suchmechanisms may result in costly repairs and downtime.

A further drawback associated with imaging systems in automated bankingmachines is that it is often not practical to transmit an image of adeposited instrument for review and analysis at the time it is received.This is because the time and bandwidth necessary to capture and transmitan image of the deposited instrument may be longer than desirable.Extended transaction times may discourage the use of the machine. Afurther drawback is that even when images may be transmittedsufficiently quickly, the operator of the system is required to investin the resources necessary to analyze the transmitted image and make adetermination as to whether the deposited item should be accepted asvalid or not. Such capabilities may include employees who must reviewthe image and determine whether the item is genuine by comparison todata or other information such as examples of the customer's signature.Alternatively automated systems may be provided for analyzing the imageof the instrument or the data printed or typed thereon. Providing suchcapabilities may be costly for the systems operator. Advances inphotocopy technology also may make it difficult for operators of suchsystems to distinguish between genuine items and reproductions. As aresult even with carefully operated and administered systems there is arisk that deposited items which are not genuine may be accepted.

Certain standardized techniques have been developed for automatedbanking machine systems. The electronic message flows and formatscommonly used for ATMs for example do not include the capability oftransmitting a document image as part of the standard message whichrequests that a deposit transaction be authorized. As a result it hasbeen difficult to achieve real time check verification and cashing inwidely distributed systems.

A further drawback associated with existing automated banking machinesystems is that operators of such systems commonly wish to retain thecapability to accept deposits in the form of items such as envelopes aswell as checks and other instruments. Providing two separatedepositories adds considerable cost and complexity to the machine. Whilemechanisms which can accept both single sheet-like instruments as wellas envelopes have been developed, such mechanisms are often complex andunreliable. The capability of accepting both types of deposits isdifficult to achieve because deposited instruments and envelopes mayhave varying thicknesses. The thickness of deposited envelopes may alsobe nonuniform. This is particularly true when such deposited envelopesmay include items such as folded sheets or coin. Such combineddepositories may also suffer from having lower security capabilitiesthan mechanisms which are designed to accept only one type of deposit.

There is also often a desire to accept other types of documents inautomated banking machines. Such documents may include for exampleutility bills or other items or instruments associated with value, or aparticular account with which the customer may associate value or aparticular payment. Such instruments may have thicknesses and propertieswhich correspond to neither conventional checks or deposit envelopes. Inaddition the two-dimensional size of such items may also vary. Thispresents challenges for reliably handling such items. It may also bedesirable in some circumstances to be able to image items andinstruments which are associated with a customer. For example in somecircumstances it may be desirable to receive a customer's driver'slicense, social security card, immigration card or other document toverify the identity of the user. Current depository mechanisms do nothave the capability of reliably handling or imaging such items.

Thus there exists a need for a deposit accepting apparatus and systemfor use in connection with automated banking machines that has thecapability of handling and imaging more types of items, which may do somore reliably and which can be used in connection with more types oftransactions and systems.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION

It is an object of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention toprovide a deposit accepting apparatus.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide a deposit accepting apparatus for use in connectionwith an automated banking machine.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide a deposit accepting apparatus which can be used toaccept, image and verify the authenticity of items.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide a deposit accepting apparatus that accepts bothsheets and envelopes.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide a deposit accepting apparatus that can be used inexisting automated banking machine systems.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide a deposit accepting apparatus that has greaterreliability.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide a deposit accepting apparatus that is more compact.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide methods of accepting deposited items.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide a method for verifying the authenticity ofdeposited items.

It is a further object of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention to provide a method for handling and storing deposited items.

Further objects of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention willbe made apparent in the following Best Modes For Carrying Out Inventionand the appended claims.

The foregoing objects are accomplished in an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention by a deposit accepting apparatus and method used inconnection with an automated banking machine. The deposit acceptingapparatus includes a transport section. The transport section includes avariable width transport which accepts items of variable thickness. Suchitems may include relatively thin single sheet-like items and relativelythick irregular shaped items such as deposit envelopes. The transportsection includes a biasing mechanism for reliably engaging depositeditems with moving mechanisms such as belts or rollers in the transportsection. The deposited items are reliably engaged with such movingmembers to assure that the deposited item is moved through the transportsection.

The transport section further includes a variable force driving section.The variable force driving section engages deposited items. The variableforce driving section enables limited slip engagement with a depositeditem as it is being accepted into the transport section. This enables auser presenting a document to avoid damaging or tearing a document ifthey fail to release it when it is first engaged by the variable forcetransport section. Once a document or other deposited item is sensed ashaving been moved sufficiently into the transport, the apparatusoperates to cause the variable force transport section to engage theitem more positively and in a nonslip fashion for purposes of moving itin the transport. In embodiments of the invention an aligning device maywork in conjunction with the variable slip drive to aid in aligningdocuments with a transport path.

The transport section further includes an analysis module adjacentthereto. In the exemplary embodiment the analysis module is operative toanalyze documents passing through the transport section. In theexemplary embodiment the analysis module is operative to enable thegeneration of data representative of an image of the document. Inaddition the analysis module is operative to sense for features andcharacteristics of the document which may be used to identify thedocument type. Alternatively or in addition the analysis module mayoperate to sense properties of a deposited document which distinguishacceptable or genuine documents from unacceptable documents.

In the exemplary embodiment the transport section of the depositaccepting apparatus is connected to a deposit holding module. Thedeposit holding module includes at least two compartments therein. Inthe exemplary embodiment the deposit holding module operates to move thecompartments relative to the transport section and to selectively placean outlet from the transport section in communication with a desired oneof the compartments. For example when an envelope type deposit isaccepted in the transport section, the deposit holding module operatesso that the envelope is moved through the transport and deposited into acompartment which is adapted for holding envelopes. Alternatively when acheck or other sheet-like deposit is moved through the transportsection, the deposit holding module operates so that the sheet movesfrom the transport section into a compartment which is designated forholding the particular type of sheet.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention described herein, a depositaccepting apparatus and method is used in connection with an ATM. TheATM includes one or more computers therein which operate to control thetransaction function devices within the ATM including aspects of thedeposit accepting apparatus. When a customer at the ATM wishes todeposit an envelope or similar deposit containing item in the machine,the controller enables the customer to place the deposited envelope inthe machine so that it may engage the transport section. The computeralso operates so that the deposit holding module places the compartmentfor holding deposited envelopes in communication with the transportsection. The user is enabled to engage the deposit envelope with thevariable force driving section which the computer causes to operate in alimited slip mode. Once the computer senses that the deposit envelopehas been moved into the transport section the variable force drivingsection may be controlled so that the envelope is more positivelyengaged with the moving members in the transport. The deposit envelopeis then moved through the transport past the analysis module.

In the exemplary embodiment as the deposit envelope passes through thetransport section the computer causes a printing mechanism to printidentifying information on the envelope. The exemplary embodiment of theinvention includes a printing mechanism which senses that the envelopehas moved into proximity with the printing mechanism. In response tosensing this condition the computer causes the printing mechanism tomove relative to the envelope so that printing may be reliably conductedthereon. The movement of the printing mechanism provides greaterassurance that the envelope will not catch on or be damaged by theprinter mechanism. Once printing has been conducted the computer causesthe printing mechanism to be returned to a standby condition.

Upon passing through the transport section the deposited envelope passesinto the designated compartment. The entrance to the designatedcompartment is aligned with the outlet from the transport sectionthrough operation of the deposit holding module. Once the depositedenvelope has passed into the compartment within the module it is heldtherein until accessed by authorized personnel. Suitable lockingmechanisms and security procedures are provided so that only authorizedpersonnel are enabled to access the deposit. The identifying informationthat is printed on the envelope enables the association of the depositeditems with the particular customer or user of the automated bankingmachine.

In the exemplary embodiment when the user wishes to deposit aninstrument such as a check, the automated banking machine operates toverify the authenticity of the check and to read data therefrom. Inresponse to the user first providing appropriate identifying inputs andinformation, the computer in the ATM operates to enable a deposited itemto engage the transport section of the apparatus. The computer operatessuch that the deposited item is initially engaged in a limited slipmanner by the variable force driving section and once sensed assubstantially within the transport, operates to move the check in agenerally nonslip manner.

The deposited item is moved in the transport section in the exemplaryembodiment in a first direction past sensors which enable the computerto determine its length. Once the length of the deposited item isdetermined by moving it in the first direction, movement of thedeposited item is stopped and the item is transported in an opposeddirection past the analysis module. In the exemplary embodiment movementof the check past the analysis module enables the collection of data toprovide an image of the check as well as the sensing of magneticproperties in areas thereof. The exemplary form of the invention doesnot require that the deposited check be perfectly aligned in thetransport section for reading the check.

In the exemplary embodiment the computer operates responsive to inputsprovided by the customer to recall from memory data representative of atemplate which shows the layout of information included on theparticular type of item being deposited. The computer operates to adjustthe image data gathered from the deposited item and to place it incorrespondence with the template. Characters are then analyzed from atleast one selected area of the image in accordance with the template todetermine if such characters can be accurately identified. If thecomputer determines that these particular characters cannot beaccurately identified the image data is then moved relative to atemplate and further attempts are made to determine if data from thearea of the template can be recognized. In the exemplary embodiment thedata corresponding to the image of the check may be moved 180° relativeto the first attempt. In this way if the check is deposited in forexample, a face up orientation, either of two possible orientations forthe check may be quickly analyzed. Of course alternative approaches maybe used and if after a set number of attempts it is determined that thedata from a particular area of the check cannot be analyzed with asufficient degree of accuracy, further attempts may be discontinued andthe deposited item returned to the customer.

Once data from at least one area of the deposited item is determinedwith a sufficient level of assurance, data from at least one other areaof the item as determined by the template may be analyzed. In the caseof a check the ATM is operative to determine the amount of the check aswritten in the courtesy amount area. The computer operates to analyzethe characters and determine if the amount can be determined with asufficient level of assurance. In the exemplary embodiment the computeroperates to locate and identify the courtesy amount using certainlandmark rules which identify the landscape and layout of the courtesyamount area. If the computer decides that the characters in the courtesyamount area may be determined with a sufficient level of assurance,further processing of the check is enabled to be conducted. In thealternative if the amount cannot be read with a sufficient level ofassurance, the deposited check may be returned to the customer.

In the exemplary embodiment the computer operates to analyze thecharacters in the micr line on the check as well as the courtesy amount.This data provides both the data sufficient to identify the institutionon which the check is drawn as well as the account number of the entityon whose account the check is drawn. The micr line also includes datarepresentative of the check number and other information. The courtesyamount which is analyzed in the exemplary embodiment indicates theamount of the check which has been presented. This information issufficient for a financial institution or other entity operating theautomated banking machine to charge the appropriate entity for theamount of the check presented.

In the exemplary embodiment the depository apparatus is also operativeto sense for the presence of magnetic coding in appropriate locations onthe check. For example the computer is operative to verify that the inkin the area which has been identified as including the micr coding hasmagnetic properties. This provides greater assurance that the documentpresented is in fact a genuine check and not a photocopy of a check. Thecomputer may operate in addition to sense magnetic or other propertiesfrom various areas appropriate for the deposited document depending ondata stored in memory.

In the exemplary embodiment the computer operating in the ATM isoperative to include data representative of the check information intoan electronic message requesting authorization of the ATM transaction.This authorization message is transmitted to an appropriate hostcomputer. The computer analyzes the data to verify that the useroperating the ATM is authorized to conduct a deposit transaction. Inaddition the host computer may operate to verify that the check datacorresponds to data input by the customer. The host computer may furtheroperate to determine or communicate with other computers to verify thatthe account data corresponding to the check corresponds to a validaccount, that the check is not subject to a stop payment order and/orthat there are sufficient funds in the account upon which the presentedcheck is drawn to provide payment therefor.

In response to the host computer determining that the check cashingtransaction is suitable to be carried forward, an authorization messageis returned from the host computer to the ATM. The ATM operatesresponsive to the authorization message to cause the check to be movedthrough the transport section past the printing mechanism. The printingmechanism operates to print data on the check. This data may indicatethat the check has been cancelled as well as indicate the particularaccount of the user to which the check has been credited. In theexemplary embodiment the printing mechanism operates in the mannerpreviously discussed to move into position in response to sensing thecheck adjacent thereto. This again minimizes the risk of damage to theprinting mechanism or the check.

The computer also operates to control the deposit holding module suchthat the appropriate compartment therein accepts the deposited check. Inthe exemplary system the deposit holding module moves the compartmentfor holding the check into alignment with the outlet of the transportsection. The deposited check is then held within the compartment untilit is accessed by authorized personnel. Further, in the exemplaryembodiment the deposit holding module is operative after receipt of thecheck into the appropriate compartment to move a tamping member in thecompartment. The tamping member operates to assure that the depositedcheck as well as other checks in the compartment are properly tampedinto position so as to reduce the likelihood of interference withacceptance of subsequent checks. The deposited check is then held in theappropriate compartment until removed by authorized personnel.

While the exemplary embodiment of the invention is used for acceptingenvelopes and checks, other embodiments of the invention may accept andprocess other types of instruments. These include for example utilitybills, driver's licenses, gaming materials, tax documents and otheritems. Such items may be analyzed by the analysis module described inthe exemplary embodiment for image and magnetic properties.Alternatively such items may be analyzed for other properties which maybe indicative of their genuineness and value. Further as can beappreciated, while the exemplary embodiment accepts deposited items intothe machine, other embodiments of the invention may accept items from auser, analyze them and return them to the user. This includes not onlyitems which are considered unacceptable as is discussed in the exemplaryembodiment, but may also include items such as driver's licenses whichare returned to the user after an image or analysis is made thereof.Numerous types of systems and activities are encompassed within thescope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary automated banking machinewhich may be used in connection with a deposit accepting apparatus andmethod of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of components included within an automatedbanking machine of the type shown in FIG. 1 and a system in which theautomated banking machine is used.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of software components used in connectionwith the automated banking machine shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a deposit accepting apparatus used inconnection with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the deposit accepting apparatus shown inFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the deposit accepting apparatus shown in FIG. 4with the analysis module removed therefrom.

FIG. 7 is a side schematic view showing the transport portion of thedeposit accepting apparatus in a position in which it accepts checks andother sheets.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 with the deposit accepting module inposition for accepting envelopes or other items.

FIG. 9 is a side schematic view of the variable force driving sectionincluded in the transport section of the deposit accepting apparatuswith the drive shown in condition for providing limited slip engagementwith deposited items.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but with the variable force drivingsection providing generally nonslip engagement with deposited items.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the deposit holding module of the transportapparatus shown in a position accepting a sheet into a sheet holdingcompartment.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 but with the deposit holding modulein a condition for accepting an envelope deposit into an envelopeholding compartment.

FIG. 13 is an opposite side view of the deposit holding module from thatshown in FIG. 11 with a tamping member in a position for accepting entryof a sheet into the sheet holding compartment.

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 but with the tamping memberdisposed downward to tamp sheets held in the compartment.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 but with an access door to thesheet holding compartment in an open position.

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 14 but with the tamping memberdisposed upward from the sheet holding compartment to enable a user toaccess sheets therein.

FIG. 17 is a side view of a printing mechanism used in connection withthe deposit accepting apparatus shown in FIG. 4 with the printer shownin a non-printing position.

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 but with the printing mechanismshown in a printing condition.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of hardware and software components used inconnection with the deposit accepting apparatus and the automatedbanking machine of the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of the interaction of components used inconnection with accepting documents in the deposit accepting mechanism.

FIGS. 21-25 are schematic views representing a series of steps executedthrough use of the deposit accepting apparatus in connection withaccepting a check in the machine.

FIG. 26 is a top schematic view of the exemplary deposit acceptingapparatus showing a document accepted therein in a skewed position.

FIG. 27 is a schematic view of a check adjacent an analysis module inthe deposit accepting apparatus of the exemplary embodiment and thedevices used for sensing magnetic properties thereof.

FIG. 28 is a schematic view of an exemplary magnetic profile generatedby the document shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is an exemplary logic flow executed by an automated bankingmachine in accepting an envelope deposit through the deposit acceptingapparatus.

FIGS. 30-33 describe an exemplary embodiment of the logic flow executedby an automated banking machine in accepting a check through the depositaccepting apparatus.

FIG. 34 is a schematic view showing how data representative of an imageof a deposited instrument is modified and aligned in an exemplaryembodiment for purposes of analysis.

FIG. 35 is a schematic view of the application of a template for aparticular type of deposited instrument to image data for an instrumentdeposited to the deposit accepting apparatus of an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a top plan view of an alternative form of the variable forcedriving section included in the transport section of the depositaccepting apparatus which includes a document alignment device.

FIG. 37 is a side schematic view corresponding to FIG. 36 showing themechanism actuating the variable force driving section and documentalignment device.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is showntherein an exemplary embodiment of an automated banking machine 10 ofthe present invention which includes an exemplary deposit acceptingapparatus and which performs an exemplary method of operation. Automatedbanking machine 10 is an ATM. However it should be understood that thepresent invention may be used in connection with various types ofautomated banking machines and devices of other types. Automated bankingmachine 10 includes a user interface generally indicated 12. Userinterface 12 includes input and output devices. In the exemplaryembodiment the input devices include a plurality of function buttons 14through which a user may provide inputs to the machine. The exemplaryinput devices further include a keypad 16 through which a user mayprovide numeric or other inputs. A further input device in thisexemplary embodiment includes a card reader schematically indicated 18.Card reader 18 may be of the type used for reading magnetic stripecards, smart cards or other articles presented by a user. Another inputdevice on the exemplary machine includes an image capture device 20. Theimage capture device may be a camera or other device for capturing theimage of a user or the surroundings of the machine. The exemplaryembodiment may include biometric reading devices. Such devices mayinclude an imaging or reading device such as a fingerprint reader, irisscan device, retina scan device or other biometric input. It should beunderstood that the camera mentioned may serve as a biometric readingdevice in some embodiments.

The user interface 12 also includes output devices. In the exemplaryembodiment the output devices include a display 22. Display 22 includesa visual output device such as a CRT or LCD for providing messages andprompts to a user. These messages and prompts may be responded to byinputs from the user through the function buttons 14 adjacent to thedisplay or by inputs through the keypad 16 or through other inputs. Afurther output device in the exemplary embodiment includes an audiooutput device schematically indicated 24. The audio output device may beused to provide audible outputs to the user. A further output device inthe exemplary embodiment includes a printer. The printer may be used toprovide outputs in the form of receipts or other items or information tothe user. The printer is in connection with a printer outlet in the userinterface indicated 26 in FIG. 1.

It should be understood that the input and output devices shown areexemplary and in other embodiments of the invention other types of inputand output devices may be used. Such input and output devices commonlyreceive information which is usable to identify the customer or theiraccount. Such devices are also operative to provide information to auser and to receive instructions from a user concerning transactionswhich are to be carried out through use of the machine. Various forms ofuser interfaces and input and output devices may be used in connectionwith embodiments of the invention.

In the exemplary embodiment ATM 10 includes a cash dispensing mechanism.The cash dispensing mechanism is selectively operated to enable thedispensing of cash to authorized users of the machine. Cash is providedto the users through a cash outlet indicated 28. A further feature ofthe exemplary embodiment of the invention is the ability to acceptdeposits through the ATM. The machine includes a deposit acceptingopening 30. In the exemplary embodiment the ATM is enabled to acceptdeposits in the form of sheets, envelopes and other items as laterdiscussed.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the computer architecture associatedwith ATM 10 and an exemplary system in which it is used. The ATMincludes one or more computers therein. The one or more computers in theexemplary embodiment is schematically represented by a terminalprocessor 32. The terminal processor is in operative connection with oneor more data stores schematically represented 34. The terminal processoroperates to control transaction function devices 36 which are includedin the ATM. These transaction function devices include devices whichoperate in the ATM to carry out transactions. Transaction functiondevices may include, for example, currency dispensing mechanisms,currency presenters, currency acceptors, currency validators, itemdispensing devices, card readers, printers, depositories, other inputand output devices and other devices. Transaction function devices mayfurther include cameras, sensors, image capture devices and other items.The particular character of the transaction function devices depends onthe particular capabilities for carrying out transactions to be providedby the ATM.

In the exemplary embodiment ATM 10 exchanges messages through acommunication interface 38 with a communications network 40. Network 40may be one or more types of data communications network, including aphone line, data line, lease line, wireless network, telecommunicationsnetwork or other medium for communicating messages to and from the ATM10. The communications interface provided is suitable to work inconnection with the particular type of network(s) to which the machineis connected. In the exemplary embodiment the ATM is connected to anetwork which communicates with a plurality of ATMs such as Cirrus®,Plus®, MAC® or other debit card network. Of course in other embodimentsother suitable networks for processing credit, debit or other types ofonline transactions may be used including the Internet.

As schematically represented in FIG. 2, network 40 is in operativeconnection with one or more host computers 42. Host computers 42 in theexemplary embodiment are operative to authorize transaction requestswhich are made by users at the ATM 10. The ATM is operative to deliverto the host computer data identifying the user and/or their account andthe particular transactions that they wish to conduct. The request isrouted through the network to a host computer that can evaluate and/orauthorize the request. The appropriate host computer receives andanalyzes this data and returns to the ATM a message which indicateswhether the transaction requested is authorized to be conducted at themachine. In response to receiving a message indicating that thetransaction should proceed, the ATM operates the transaction functiondevices to carry out the requested transaction. If the transaction isnot authorized the user is so informed through the display and thetransaction is prevented. The ATM is also operative in the exemplaryembodiment to send to the host computer authorizing the transaction, acompletion message which includes data indicative of whether thetransaction was able to be carried out successfully. Upon receiving theinformation that the transaction was carried out, the host computer isoperative to take appropriate action such as to credit or debit a user'saccount. It should be understood that this system shown in FIG. 2 isexemplary and in other embodiments other approaches to operatingautomated banking machines and authorizing transactions may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention the transaction functiondevices include a deposit accepting apparatus. The deposit acceptingapparatus is capable of accepting deposited items such as envelopes aswell as sheets and documents such as checks. This deposit acceptingapparatus in alternative embodiments may be capable of accepting andanalyzing other items such as papers, instruments, billing statements,invoices, vouchers, wagering slips, receipts, scrip, payment documents,driver's licenses, cards and items which may be moved in the depositaccepting device. Exemplary deposit accepting apparatus mayalternatively be referred to herein as an “intelligent depositorymodule”, “depository module” or “IDM”. The exemplary embodiment of theIDM of the present invention is referred to herein as 44 and theexemplary mechanical components thereof shown in FIGS. 4-18.

As shown in FIG. 4 IDM 44 includes a transport section 46. Transportsection 46 extends in generally a straight path from an inlet 48 to anoutlet 50. Inlet 48 is positioned adjacent to a deposit acceptingopening 30 through the body of the ATM 10. Access to the transportsection 46 from the outside of the ATM may be controlled by a gate 52 orother suitable blocking mechanism which operates under the control ofthe terminal processor 32. The terminal processor operates to open thegate only when an authorized user of the ATM is to provide items to orto receive items from the transport section of the IDM.

The transport section 46 of the IDM includes a plurality of belts orother moving members 54. Moving members 54 operate to engage itemsdeposited into the transport section and to move deposited items inengagement therewith. The moving members are moved in response to one ormore drives schematically indicated 56. In the exemplary embodiment aninlet transport section 58 moves deposited items between upper and lowerbelt flights (see FIG. 5). Similarly, deposited items are also movedthrough an outlet transport section 60 in sandwiched relation betweenupper and lower belt flights. Between the inlet and outlet transportsections deposited items are moved past an analysis module 62. In theexemplary embodiment deposited items are moved adjacent to the analysismodule in engagement with moving members that act on the lower side ofthe deposited item. In this way the deposited item moves in closeproximity to the analysis module and in sandwiched relation between alower face 64 of the analysis module and the upper face of the movingmembers. Of course it should be understood that this configuration isexemplary. For example, in other embodiments additional analysis modulesmay be provided so that both sides of an item are analyzed. Analysismodules or discrete devices for activating indicia to facilitatesensing, as well as for sensing indicia on items, may be provided asnecessary to read indicia from items handled by the banking machine.

As represented in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the exemplary embodiment the depositaccepting apparatus is enabled to accept both relatively thin articlessuch as sheets as well as relatively thick items such as depositenvelopes. As shown in FIG. 7 thin articles such as checks or othersheets are moved through the transport section with the upper and lowermoving members in close proximity. In the exemplary embodiment, theupper portion of the transport section is movable relative to the lowersection and is biased adjacent thereto by gravity or other suitablebiasing mechanism. In this way a relatively thin deposited item isbiased to engage the moving members in the transport section. Relativelythin articles such as checks and other sheets are moved between theinlet 48 and the outlet 50 in the transport section with the transportin the configuration generally shown in FIG. 7. In this configurationthe moving members and analysis module in the upper portion of thetransport section are biased to maintain engagement with the sheet so asto enable selectively moving the sheet through the transport section.

It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment of the invention asingle drive is used for moving the moving members in both the upper andlower transport sections. This is accomplished in the exemplaryembodiment through use of a connecting gear train 66 which serves as atransmission device which transmits movement between the lower beltflights and the upper belt flights. A connecting drive belt 68 is usedto transmit movement between the upper portions of the inlet and outlettransport sections 58, 60 respectively. The connecting drive beltextends adjacent to the analysis module 62. Of course this approach isexemplary and in other embodiments other arrangements of drives andtransmission devices may be used.

As represented in FIG. 8 when a relatively larger item is deposited intothe transport section, the upper and lower transport sections areenabled to separate to a degree sufficient to accommodate the thicknessof the particular item. The configuration of the gear train 66 enablesproviding moving force to the moving members in both upper and lowersections of the transport within a relatively wide range of thicknesses.The exemplary structure further enables each end of the transportsection to move both vertically and rotationally relative to one anotherwhile still continuing to reliably transport items therein. An inserteddeposited item overcomes the biasing force applied to the deposited itemby the transport sections to enable the item to move between the upperand lower moving members that bound the path 53 between the inlet 48 andoutlet 50. The biasing force further enables providing positiveengagement with the deposited item to reliably move the item along thepath. It should be understood however that this particular configurationfor the transport is exemplary and in other embodiments of the inventionother approaches may be used.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention the inlet transport section58 may be operated responsive to the terminal processor as a variableforce driving section. This is achieved through use of the mechanismschematically represented in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9 the inlettransport section includes moving members comprising one or more upperbelt flights 70 and one or more lower belt flights 72 in generallyopposed facing relation. The number of upper and lower belt flights willdepend on the particular configuration of the transport used. In certainembodiments of the invention the upper and lower belt flights may be ingenerally aligned facing relation or may be transversely disposed fromone another.

The upper belt flight 70 which serves as a moving member is supported onan upper roller 74. The lower belt flight 72 is supported on a lowerroller 76 which is generally disposed in opposed relation below roller74 and which serves as an opposed moving member. Upper roller 74 isjournaled on a supporting member 78. Supporting member 78 is supportedthrough and is rotatable about a pivot axis 79 which extends axiallythrough support shaft segments 80. An actuator 82 such as a solenoidselectively moves the supporting member between the position shown inFIG. 9 and the position shown in FIG. 10. This is done in response tooperation of the terminal processor 32 and enables the inlet transportsection to be selectively changed between a low drive position in whichlimited slip is provided between the belt flights 70 and 72 and adeposited item, and a high drive position in which generally no slipoccurs between the belt flights and the deposited item.

FIG. 9 shows the inlet transport section in the low drive position. Inthe exemplary embodiment roller 74 is supported through roller shaftsegments 84. Shaft segments 84 are journaled in and movable in elongatedu-shaped slots 86 in connection with supporting member 78. Each slot 86as bounded by a u-shaped bounding surface 87. The slots are generallyradially aligned relative to pivot 79. A biasing spring schematicallyindicated 85 or other appropriate biasing mechanism is provided forurging roller shaft segments 84 toward a downward position in the slot.

In the position shown in FIG. 9 an item such as a check which is engagedbetween the belt flights 70 and 72 is enabled to slip therein responsiveto the limited biasing force which acts to push roller 74 downwards.This results because roller shaft segments 84 move relatively readily onthe vertically extending portions of the bounding surface as the upwarddirected reaction force caused by the inserted item is resisted only bydownward biasing force. This enables for example, a user who is placinga check into the transport section to hold the check for a period oftime while it engages between the belt flights. The limited slipminimizes the risk that the check will be torn if the user does notrelease it promptly. Such limited slip engagement further enables acheck or other inserted item to move angularly relative to movementalong the direction of transport. This may occur for example by theengagement of an outward end of the item with a user's hand as the itemis pulled into the machine and/or by one or more surfaces bounding theopening in the machine through which the item passes.

Upon sensing with one or more appropriate sensors schematicallyindicated 89 that the check is moved sufficiently into the transportpath, the terminal processor is operative to move the actuator 82 toplace the inlet transport in the high drive position shown in FIG. 10. Aconnecting member 88 moves the supporting member 78 about support shaftsegments 80. This change in orientation of the slots increases thedownward biasing force applied by the roller 74 onto the deposited item.This results in the exemplary embodiment because the upwardly directedseparating force is now resisted by engagement of roller shaft segments84 with bounding surface 87. In addition the rotating shaft segments 84engage bounding surface 87 so that the roller shaft segments are furtherurged downward in the slot 86 towards an end portion 81 as shown in FIG.10. This causes the item to be more positively engaged between the beltflights and generally prevents slippage. This feature is useful as laterdiscussed in helping to measure the length of a deposited item forimaging purposes.

FIGS. 36 and 37 show an alternative form of an inlet transport sectiongenerally indicated 59. Inlet transport section 59 is generally similarto inlet transport section 58 except as described. Inlet transportsection 59 includes an upper roller 75 and a lower roller 77. In theexemplary embodiment the rollers have moveable members in the form ofbelt flights supported thereon. Of course it should be understood thatin other embodiments, other types of wheels, rollers or other movingmembers may be used.

Upper roller 75 is enabled to provide a variable slip driving forcethrough movement of a supporting member 83. Supporting member 83 issimilar in the exemplary embodiment to supporting member 78 and ismovable responsive to an actuator 91. The actuator 91 is operative toselectively change the orientation of the supporting member 83 toselectively change the degree of engagement between the belts moving onroller 75 and an item moving through the transport. A guide device 93 ispositioned in the inlet transport section 59. In the exemplaryembodiment guide device 93 includes a pair of moveable side rails 95.Side rails 95 are biased in a downward direction as shown in FIG. 37 bya spring mechanism 97. As indicated in FIGS. 36 and 37, the guide railsare tapered both vertically and transversely adjacent the end portionsthereof. This facilitates movement of documents adjacent to andunderneath the side rails and reduces the risk of items being caught onthe side rails.

As schematically represented in FIG. 37 in the exemplary embodiment theside rails 95 are operatively connected with the actuator 91 through aconnecting mechanism 99. The connecting mechanism operates such thatwhen the drive is operated such that there is more slip between themoving member and an inserted item, the side rails 95 are biased in adownward direction. In this condition the rails are biased toward thetransport path in which the document moves with a relatively greaterforce than when the drive is in greater positive engagement with thedocument. In this way the guide device 93 acts to position skewed orotherwise misaligned documents more readily relative to the transportpath when the drive is in limited slip engagement. This may help toposition the document rotationally or in alignment with the transportpath through engagement of the deposited item with at least one of theside rails. It should further be understood that the spring biasedcharacter of the alignment device, enables the device to engage an uppersurface of a document without causing damage thereto or preventingmovement of the document along the transport path in response to theurging of the moving members. It should be further noted that theconfiguration of the exemplary embodiment of the guide devicefacilitates aligning of documents in the transport path when documentsare moving either in the inward or the outward direction.

As can be seen from FIG. 37, when the connecting mechanism moves toplace the drive in a more positive engagement with the document, thedownward biasing force of the side rails is reduced. This is donebecause once the drive is more positively engaged with the depositeditem, the item is not as readily reoriented relative to the transportpath. It should be noted that although in FIG. 37, this is representedas being done using a cam and follower arrangement, in other embodimentsthe biasing force on the guide device may be changed through othermechanisms. In addition it should be understood that the mechanism shownis exemplary and in other embodiments the guide device may be moved awayfrom the deposited item rather than merely having the biasing forceacting on the item reduced.

In the operation of this exemplary embodiment of the invention, thedepository module in which the variable force inlet transport is usedaccepts both single sheet like items as well as larger items such asdepository envelopes. In other embodiments larger items consisting ofmultiple sheets such as passbooks may also be transported. In thisexemplary embodiment larger items are generally transported through theinlet transport section 59 without a need to engage the items morefirmly than is accomplished in the limited slip engagement condition ofthe transport. In such cases, the controller operating within thebanking machine, operates in accordance with its programming andresponsive to the at least one input by the user concerning the type ofitem being transported, to operate the inlet transport in the limitedslip configuration. The computer does not cause the transport to changeto the more positive engagement condition as such item passes through.In these circumstances the drive members as well as the guide device maybe biased away by the force of the item passing through the transport soas to enable the particular item to pass. Of course in some embodimentsif the item is sensed as hung up in the inlet transport, the controlleroperating the ATM may attempt to more positively engage the item so asto move it through the transport. For single sheet items, such as checksor other documents, the inlet transport section 59 may operate inresponse to one or more user inputs concerning the type of item beingdeposited, to initially provide more limited slip between the depositedsheet and the moving members. During this more limited slip conditionthe biasing force on the guide device acts to position the guide devicemore firmly in the transport path. This helps to align the document withthe transport path during the period of limited slip engagement.Thereafter after the deposited item has moved further into the transportpath, the supporting member 83 may be moved to provide a more positiveengagement. As this is done the force applied by the guide device 93 isreduced as the more positive engagement between the moving members andthe deposited item will tend to move the item in its then currentorientation. Of course it should be understood that the guide device andthe mechanism shown are exemplary and in other embodiments other typesof devices and mechanisms may be used equivalently to accomplish thedescribed functions.

The exemplary embodiment of the invention further includes a depositholding module schematically indicated 90 (see FIG. 4). In the exemplaryembodiment the deposit holding module includes a plurality ofcompartments which are moved relative to the outlet 50 of the transportsection to enable items to be passed from the transport section into aselected compartment. The deposit holding module includes a drive 92which is part of a translation mechanism 94 of the screw type. Thetranslation mechanism operates to move the compartments in a generallyvertical direction relative to the outlet 50 in the transport section.The deposit holding module further includes a tamping member 96 which ismovable in the compartment and operates to tamp sheets held in a sheetholding compartment so as to reduce the volume of sheets held thereinuntil the items may be removed.

The operation of the deposit holding module 90 in connection with theexemplary embodiment is represented in FIGS. 11 through 16. As shown inFIG. 11 a sheet holding compartment 98 in the deposit accepting module90 is adapted for holding sheets 100 of one type such as cancelledchecks or other items accepted in the machine. The sheet holdingcompartment 98 includes an opening 102 in an upper area thereofgenerally indicated 103. Opening 102 may be selectively moved responsiveto signals from the terminal processor and operation of drive 92, to bein communication with outlet 50. The tamping member 96 may also beselectively moved upward such that a sheet leaving the transport sectionthrough the outlet such as sheet 104, may be passed into the sheetholding compartment 98.

When deposit envelopes are to be accepted, the controller responsive toat least one input through the user interface indicating an envelopedeposit, may operate the drive 92 to move the position of thecompartments within the deposit holding module so that an envelopeholding compartment 106 is placed in communication with the outlet 50 ofthe transport section. This is accomplished as represented in FIG. 12 bybringing an opening 108 to compartment 106 into alignment with theoutlet 50. This enables an envelope deposit such as an envelopeschematically represented 110 in FIG. 12 to be moved into the envelopeholding compartment 106.

It should be noted that the movement of the compartments relative to theoutlet enable selectively aligning the openings to the variouscompartments with the outlet from the transport. This minimizes theamount of handling and manipulation of the deposits that is necessary tomove them through the deposit accepting mechanism. This increasesreliability and speed of the exemplary embodiment of the invention.Further in the exemplary embodiment the controller is enabled toselectively move the position of the tamping member 96 relative to thesheets in the sheet holding compartment 98. The tamping member isenabled to move about a non-fixed pivot 112 between positions such asthose shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The ability to downward dispose thetamping member relative to the sheet stack enables compressing the stackof sheets 100 that may be present in the sheet holding compartment so asto reduce their volume. This enables accepting sheets more reliably andholding more sheets in the sheet holding compartment before theaccumulated sheets need to be removed. It should be noted that themovement of the tamping member 96 is achieved through an operativeinterconnection with the translation mechanism which moves thecompartments as shown in FIG. 4. Further the tamping member is connectedto the body of the deposit holding device through the nonfixed pivotconnection so that the action of the tamping member is enabled toaccommodate various sized stacks of sheets within the sheet holdingcompartment.

FIG. 13 shows an opposite hand view of the sheet holding compartment 98and the tamping member 96. As shown in FIG. 13 the tamping member may bemoved upward to a position that enables sheets to enter the sheetholding compartment when the outlet of the transport section is movedadjacent to the opening to the sheet holding compartment. In theexemplary embodiment the tamping member is moved responsive to a movingmechanism indicated 101. The exemplary moving mechanism includes amember which engages an aperture in a wall member. The wall member inthe embodiment shown remains relatively stationary. Vertical movement ofthe module 90 is operative to selectively move the tamping member. Inthe position shown in FIG. 13 in which an item may be accepted intocompartment 98, the tamping member is positioned so that the opening 102is disposed between the tamping member and a closed end of thecompartment generally indicated 105.

FIG. 14 shows a similar view of the sheet holding compartment with thetamping member moved downward toward closed end 105 so as to facilitatethe tamping of sheets which may be stored therein. An exemplaryembodiment of the invention further includes the capability forauthorized personnel to remove accumulated sheets from the sheet holdingcompartment. As will be appreciated the deposit holding module ispositioned within the interior of the ATM 10. Preferably the interior ofthe ATM 10 includes a secure storage area or chest to which access islimited by a suitable locking mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,890 whichis incorporated herein by reference, shows such a chest and lockingmechanism. Only authorized personnel are enabled to access this areathrough use of an appropriate combination, key or other securetechnique.

Authorized personnel who have gained access to the interior of the ATMchest are enabled to remove accumulated sheets from the sheet storagearea through an access opening. This is done in the exemplary embodimentby opening an access door 112 as represented in FIG. 15. In theexemplary embodiment the access door is on an opposed side of thecompartment from the inlet opening through which items enter thecompartment, but in other embodiments other arrangements may be used.Door 112 in embodiments of the invention may have in connectiontherewith an additional locking mechanism. Such locking mechanisms mayinclude key, combination, electronic, biometric or other opening types.Alternatively it may be sufficient to enable door 112 to be opened by auser who has gained access to the interior of the machine. Alternativelyembodiments of the invention may enable a user to operatively disengagethe tamping member 96 from the mechanism which normally controls itsmovement and to allow the tamping member to be moved upwardly away fromthe sheet storage compartment 98. This is represented in FIG. 16. Suchupward movement may enable an authorized user to gain access to thesheet holding compartment for purposes of removing sheets. In theembodiment shown both the capability of opening a door 112 and movingthe tamping member to access accumulated sheets may be provided.

Likewise suitable mechanisms for accessing accumulated envelope depositsmay be provided. This may include for example access openings and/oraccess doors for accessing accumulated envelopes in the envelope holdingcompartment 106. Alternatively the envelope holding compartment may beprovided as a removable enclosure which may be removed entirely in alocked condition from the machine and replaced with a suitable emptydeposit holding container. Various approaches to removing depositeditems from various storage compartments may be used in embodiments ofthe invention.

Referring again to FIG. 4 the exemplary embodiment of the IDM 44includes a printing mechanism 114. Printing mechanism 114 which is shownin greater detail in FIGS. 17 and 18 is operative to enable printing ondeposited items responsive to control of the terminal processor. Suchprinting may be used in the exemplary embodiments to print identifyingindicia on deposited envelopes or documents. Alternatively such printingmay be used to indicate the cancellation or acceptance of items placedinto the machine by a user and which are stored in the machine orreturned to the user from the machine. It should be understood thatalthough in the exemplary embodiment the printer is shown on a firstside of the transport path, in other embodiments the printer may bepositioned on an opposed side of the transport path. Alternativelyprinting devices of similar or different types may be positioned on bothsides of the transport path in some embodiments.

In the exemplary embodiment the printer 114 is operative to minimize therisk that the printer will snag or damage deposited items that are movedadjacent to the printer in the transport section 46. Printer 114includes a suitable print head 116. Print head 116 is directed towardsitems which may pass the printer mechanism in the transport section. Aregistration platen 118 is positioned in opposed relation of the printhead on the upper section of the transport. As schematicallyrepresented, a sensor 120 is positioned adjacent to the print head sothat the presence of deposited items adjacent thereto may be sensed.

In the exemplary form of the printer mechanism the print head 116 ismounted in supporting connection with a support plate 122. The supportplate is movably mounted relative to a frame of the IDM 44. An actuator124 is selectively operative responsive to signals from the terminalprocessor to move the support plate 122 and the print head 116selectively adjacent to or away from deposited items which move throughthe transport section. The actuator 124 accomplishes such movement ofthe print head by moving a bracket 126 in a generally horizontaldirection. Bracket 126 includes angled guide slots 128 therein. Pins 130extend in the angled slots and are operatively connected to supportplate 122. The movement of bracket 126 between the positions shown inFIGS. 17 and 18 are operative to cause the print head to move betweennonprinting and printing positions.

In the exemplary form of the invention one or more sensors representedschematically as a sensor 120 are used to indicate to the terminalprocessor that the deposited item is moved adjacent to the printer. Theterminal processor operates to then move the printer into the printingposition at a time when the leading edge of the deposited item hasalready moved to a position beyond the print head 116. This reduces therisk that the deposited item will snag on the print head and will betorn or otherwise damaged by engagement therewith. It should beunderstood that printing may be conducted with the items moving throughthe transport section 46 in either direction adjacent to the print head.In this way indicia may be printed on deposited items as they moveeither toward or away from the deposit holding module. This enablesprinting on items which are either stored in the machine or which areaccepted, marked or otherwise printed upon and then returned to thecustomer. It should further be understood that the particularconfiguration of the printing mechanism is exemplary and in otherembodiments of the invention, other types of printing mechanisms may beused.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention the analysis module62 includes optical scanning sensors schematically indicated 132 in FIG.5. Scanning sensors 132 are operative to generate an image of documentsthat move adjacent to the analysis module. In the exemplary embodimentthe scanning sensors scan generally the entire transverse path throughwhich documents may travel in the transport section. The scanner in thedescribed embodiment generates radiation in the visible range andresolves images at approximately 240 dots per lineal inch. The scanningsensor is also operative to have a focal length which corresponds to thedistance that the scanned documents are disposed from the surface of thesensor as they pass the analysis module. In the exemplary embodiment thescanning sensor 132 has a focal length of about 4 millimeters. Of coursein other embodiments other types of scanning sensors may be used. Suchother types of sensors may include emitters and sensors for sensingradiation at discrete frequencies in the visible or non-visible range.In addition multiple sensor types may be used on one or both sides ofdocuments.

The analysis module further includes magnetic sensing elements 134. Themagnetic sensing elements 134 are operative to sense the magneticproperties of documents which pass adjacent to the analysis module. Inthe exemplary embodiment the magnetic sensing elements 132 include aplurality of discrete transversely spaced magnetic sensors. The magneticsensors generally each cover a relatively small portion of the overalltransport width. The sensors are arranged in sufficient proximity sothat substantially the entire transverse width of the document path issensed. The analysis module further includes a magnet 136. Magnet 136may comprise a unitary or a plurality of permanent or temporary magnets.In the exemplary embodiment permanent magnets are used. The permanentmagnets operate to activate magnetic properties of magnetic inks ondocuments passing adjacent to the analysis module. These magneticproperties may then be more readily sensed by the magnetic sensingelements 134.

It should be understood that the particular sensors and devices inanalysis module 62 are exemplary. Other embodiments may include only anoptical scanner or magnetic sensing elements, or different or additionaltypes of scanning and sensing elements. For example embodiments of theinvention may include scanners for reading bar code or other types ofoptical indicia. Other embodiments may include devices for readingmagnetic flux reversals that may be encoded in a magnetic media. Otherembodiments of the invention may include devices which are operative todetect the presence of holograms or to read non-visible radiation,fluorescent inks, or other types of coding. The particular activatingand sensing devices included in a particular analysis module will dependon the particular types of documents to be verified and analyzed throughoperation of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows schematically the relationship of the IDM 44 with softwarecomponents which operate in the terminal processor 32. The terminalprocessor 32 has operating therein an operating system layerschematically indicated 138. The operating system layer 138 may includeoperating systems such as OS/2® from IBM, Windows NT® from Microsoft orother suitable operating system. The operating system communicates witha terminal control software layer 140. The terminal control layer in theexemplary embodiment operates to control numerous aspects of the ATMfunctions including aspects of the transaction function devices. Asschematically represented in FIG. 3 the terminal control software sendsmessages to and receives messages from devices associated with the IDM44. The messages are generally operative to control mechanicalcomponents of the IDM as well as to receive inputs from sensors andother devices which operate in connection with the deposit acceptingfunction.

The exemplary software architecture of the invention also includes arecognition subsystem software layer 142. The recognition subsystemlayer also communicates with the operating system layer and the terminalcontrol software layer to control and receive inputs from the IDM. Therecognition subsystem layer includes software which functions tocontrol, manipulate and analyze image data received from the IDM asschematically represented by image control component 144. Anothersoftware component of the recognition subsystem layer accomplishescharacter recognition. This character recognition componentschematically represented 146 in the exemplary embodiment is operativeto identify micr coding and numerical characters. In the exemplaryembodiment the character recognition software includes software that iscommercially available from Check Solutions, Inc. Of course othersuitable recognition software may be used. The recognition subsystem 142of the exemplary embodiment also includes a magnetic data controlcomponent schematically represented 145 that is operative to analyze andto manipulate data received from the magnetic sensing elements and tocheck for correlation between the magnetic data that is sensed and theoptical data which is obtained from the scanning activity. Of coursethese software functions are exemplary and these functions may beprogrammed differently and other or additional software components maybe included in other embodiments.

FIG. 19 shows the exemplary schematic components of the software ingreater detail. As can be appreciated the operating system 138 in theterminal processor is in operative connection with one or more datastores 34. The data store may include the information concerningprograms, transactions and other data or program logic which arenecessary to control the operation of the ATM. In addition the datastore includes the data used in connection with analyzing and verifyingdocuments. As later discussed the data store may also include datacorresponding to the images of documents that have been accepted by thesystem. The software in connection with the exemplary terminal processoralso includes a communication subsystem layer 148. The communicationsubsystem layer enables communication between the various softwarecomponents of the system. The communication subsystem layer alsocommunicates with the various transaction function devices 36 throughappropriate interfaces or drivers. In addition communication layer 148in the exemplary embodiment also enables communication throughappropriate interfaces 38 to one or more communications networks 40 andthe host computers 42 which are operatively connected thereto.

In the exemplary embodiment the IDM 44 includes an onboard computerwhich resides on a scanner card 150. The scanner card 150 furtherreceives and operates upon data from the optical scanning sensors 132 onthe analysis module 62. The scanner card further has included thereon adriver schematically indicated 152. The driver is operative tocommunicate through a scanner interface 154 with the operating system138 and the data store 134. The driver 152 is also operative to controlthe scanning activity which is carried out by the scanner card 150. Inthe exemplary embodiment the driver is also operative to control theallocation of memory for use in the scanner operation. This assures thatadequate memory is available in RAM to carry out the capture, storageand analysis of the scanning data as required to analyze andauthenticate documents which may be input in the machine.

As represented in FIG. 20 in the exemplary embodiment, when a documentis to be scanned the terminal control software 140 causes the particulardocument to be moved as desired in the IDM 44. This is done bycontrolling the various devices which sense and move documents in andthrough the module. The terminal control software 140 operates inconjunction with the recognition subsystem 142 which provideinstructions to the scanner card 150 to scan documents using the opticalscanning sensors 132 during the appropriate time periods. The data fromthe scanning process and magnetic sensing operations is returned throughthe operating system to memory. The data is then recovered from memoryand manipulated responsive to the image control and characterrecognition features of the recognition subsystem 142. The results ofthe manipulation and analysis of the scanned data is then communicatedthrough the terminal control layer to a remote host 42. This is done inthe exemplary embodiment using transaction request and authorizationmessages of a type that can be handled within the framework of ATMtransaction processing systems. However it should be understood that inother embodiments of the invention other approaches to authenticatingdocuments, verifying transactions and communicating with remotecomputers may be used.

The operation of the exemplary embodiment of the invention will now beexplained with reference to some exemplary deposit transactions. A firstdeposit transaction to be described will be the deposit of an envelopetype deposit into the ATM 10. This, is accomplished through theexecution of the logic flow which is represented in FIG. 29.

In this exemplary transaction the ATM first acts to receive identifyingdata from the customer. This may include for example the input of anarticle such as a credit card which is read by a card reader in themachine. Such cards commonly include information such as a user's nameand/or primary account number (“PAN”). This primary account numberincludes data which can be used to identify the user's institution andaccount number. Further when the user is operating the ATM with a debitcard the user is required to input further identifying data to verifythat the user is authorized to access the account. Usually thisverifying input includes a personal identification number (“PIN”). ThePIN may be input through an input device such as a keypad. Inalternative embodiments other types of identifying data may be input.This data may include for example biometric data such as iris scans,retina scans, thumbprints, facial features, voice prints or otherfeatures of a user or an article carried by the user that providesidentifying data.

At the second step in the logic flow of the exemplary embodiment, themachine operates to receive from the user at least one input whichcorresponds to the transaction type that the user desires to conduct.Often this is done in response to the terminal processor presenting theuser with an output on the display which corresponds to varioustransaction options. The user is then enabled to select a transaction byproviding an input through one or more buttons or other input devices.In this example the user will indicate that the transaction type to beconducted is an envelope type deposit.

In a third step the ATM is operated to receive from the user an inputamount that is associated with the deposit transaction. Generally thiswill be provided as an input in numeric form to a keypad or other inputdevice on the machine. This numeric input which may be provided inresponse to a prompt on a display screen or other output device, willgenerally correspond to the value of the funds or other items includedin the envelope deposit.

The terminal processor operating the ATM acts in a fourth step to causean authorization request to be sent to the remote host computer. Thisauthorization request in the exemplary embodiment includes datarepresentative of the identifying data, the transaction type and theamount involved. This authorization request is sent through one or morenetworks to the appropriate host computer which may authorize thetransaction. The host computer then operates in response to theauthorization request to determine if the identifying data validlycorresponds to an authorized user and/or account. The host computer alsodetermines if the customer is authorized to conduct the requestedtransaction. The host computer then operates to formulate a transactionresponse which is sent from the network back to the ATM.

The ATM receives the response from the host computer at a fifth step. Ifthe transaction is not authorized the data included in the responsemessage operates to cause the ATM to advise the customer that thetransaction cannot be performed, and then the terminal processorperforms steps to close the transaction. In this example it will bepresumed that the response message returned includes data indicatingthat the transaction is authorized and may proceed. In response toreceiving the response message indicating that the transaction may goforward, the terminal processor operates in accordance with itsprogramming to execute the steps necessary to cause the ATM to acceptthe envelope deposit. In a sixth transaction step the terminal processoris operative to cause the gate 52 to open at the inlet 48 to thetransport section 46. This enables the user to access the transportsection.

In a seventh step the terminal processor is operative to cause thedeposit holding module 70 to move so that the envelope holdingcompartment 106 is in alignment with the outlet 50 of the transportsection 46. The terminal processor is then operative to run thetransport of the IDM 44 such that the envelope may be accepted therein.As previously explained sensors may be provided adjacent to the inlet tothe transport such that the inlet transport section 58 provides limitedslip engagement initially with the deposited envelope. Upon sensing thatthe envelope is entered further so that the envelope is substantiallywithin the transport, the terminal processor may be operative to causethe envelope to be engaged more firmly with the moving members of thetransport. Alternatively the envelope may be fully sported in limitedslip mode.

The envelope is then moved between the moving members of a transportpast the analysis module 62. In response to the at least one customerinput which indicates that an envelope type item is being deposited theterminal processor of the exemplary embodiment does not operate theanalysis module to read indicia on the envelope. The terminal processoroperates in accordance with its programming to formulate the indiciacomprising characters or other identifying data that will be printed onthe deposited envelope. This identifying data may be human languagecharacters or other data or character sets which are sufficient toidentify the deposit as associated, with a particular transaction or theuser at the time of verifying the contents of the envelope. This datamay be derived from customer inputs, the ATM, the host computer, orcombinations thereof.

In a ninth step the envelope is sensed as in a position where it isadjacent to the printer mechanism 114. In the exemplary embodiment theterminal processor operates in response to signals from sensor 120 thatindicate that the leading edge of the envelope has passed the print headand will not be caught thereon if the print head moves to the printposition. Upon sensing the envelope in the ninth step the terminalprocessor causes the printer to move into position adjacent the envelopeand to print the identifying data on the envelope. The terminalprocessor continues to run the moving members in the transport until theenvelope is sensed by appropriate sensors as having passed into theenvelope compartment.

The terminal processor then operates in accordance with its programmingto cause a transaction receipt to be printed and presented to thecustomer. The terminal processor in this exemplary transaction thenoperates in a next step to provide an output screen to prompt the userto indicate whether they wish to conduct a further transaction. Forpurposes of this example it will be presumed that the user declines sucha further transaction.

In a fourteenth step the terminal processor operates in response to theuser input declining further transactions to close the transaction. Thismay include for example returning the customer's card, presenting a“thank you” screen, storing a record of the transaction in memory anddoing other things necessary to complete this transaction and to readythe machine to conduct another transaction. The terminal processor alsooperates in a fifteenth step to formulate and send a completion messageto the host computer. The completion message preferably indicateswhether the requested transaction was carried out successfully by themachine. The host computer in response will operate to include a recordin an associated data store that the customer has made a deposit in aparticular amount. Generally however such a deposit will not be creditedto a user's account until the content of the envelope is verified. Ofcourse this depends on the particular institution and their policies andpractices.

The operation of the ATM 10 will now be described with reference to anexemplary transaction involving the deposit of a check or similarinstrument. In this transaction the logic flow described in connectionwith FIGS. 30 through 33 is carried out.

In a first step shown in FIG. 30 the ATM operates to receive identifyingdata from the user in the manner previously discussed. In a second stepthe user identifies the particular transaction type to be associatedwith the transaction. In this case the user may indicate that they aredepositing a check or alternatively that they are cashing a check orother document. Because both types of transactions are related they willbe described in connection with the exemplary logic flow as though theuser had selected the option of cashing a particular check. It should beunderstood however that generally a user will be electing either toapply the amount of the deposited check to their account, or to cash thecheck.

At a third step in the transaction flow shown in FIG. 30 the userprovides inputs corresponding to the amount associated with thetransaction they wish to conduct. As optionally indicated in the fourthstep, the institution operating the ATM machine may charge a checkcashing fee or similar fee for the convenience of cashing the check. Ifthis is the case an appropriate message will be output to the userthrough the display of the ATM. The user may be requested to provide aninput to indicate their acceptance of the transaction fee. If the userindicates that they do not wish to accept the fee or the user does notprovide an input within a predetermined time period, the terminalprocessor may operate to close the transaction and return the machine toa ready state to conduct a transaction for another user. For purposes ofthis example it will be presumed that the user has indicated that theywish to proceed with the transaction.

In response to these inputs the terminal processor operates inaccordance with its programming to open the gate 52 adjacent the openingto the transport section 46 of the IDM 44. The terminal processor alsooperates as indicated a sixth step to move the depository holding module90 to a position in which an appropriate check holding compartment is incommunication with the outlet 50 of the transport section.

The terminal processor next operates to cause the running of the movingmembers in the transport section to receive the document therein. Asrepresented in FIG. 26 entry sensors 156 operate to sense an item, whichin this case is check 158 entering the transport section. The sensing ofthe entered item by sensors 156 may be operative as previously discussedto cause the inlet transport section 58 to first run in a mannerproviding limited slip. Thereafter when the item has cleared the entrysensors 156 or otherwise moved further or substantially into thetransport, the moving members more firmly engage the deposited item. Ascan be appreciated during the time of limited slip, the item may moveangularly relative to the direction of movement longitudinally along thetransport path as the result of the user holding the item or due to theguiding action of the walls bounding the opening or other guide devicestructure.

As represented in FIG. 26 the exemplary embodiment includes at least onethroat sensor 160 adjacent to the analysis module 62. The terminalprocessor is operative in a ninth step to measure the document length.This is done for example based on the transport speed and the time thatthe document takes to pass the throat sensor 160. Because in theexemplary embodiment it can be assumed that generally no slippage of thedocument occurs after it has firmly engaged the transport, the time thatthe document blocks the throat sensor generally provides a relativelyaccurate indication of document length. Of course in other embodimentsequivalent mechanisms such as encoders on driving members or otherdevices may be used. The document length is calculated in the exemplaryembodiment by the terminal control software. It should be understoodhowever that this technique is exemplary and in other embodiments of theinvention other approaches may be used.

As schematically represented in FIG. 21, during the step of measuringthe document, the document is moved past the analysis module 62 to aposition intermediate of the analysis module and the deposit holdingmodule. This position of document 158 is represented in FIG. 22. Thedocument at this point is in a “ready to scan” position. The terminalprocessor next operates in accordance with the eleventh step in FIG. 30to move the document in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 22. Thedocument is then moved past the optical and magnetic sensors in theanalysis module 62 as represented in FIG. 23. As the document moves pastthe analysis module the terminal control software and recognitionsubsystem software gather the image and profile data that is used toanalyze the document. As the check 158 passes the magnet 136 themagnetic ink thereon is magnetized. This magnetized ink is then sensedby the magnetic sensors 134 which provide a profile of the area in whichmagnetic ink is present. This is represented in greater detail in FIGS.27 and 28. For example in the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 27,check 158 includes a line 162 of micr coding. This line of micr codingcauses signals to be produced by the magnetic sensing elements 134 asthe characters pass such sensors. As represented in FIG. 27 document 158may be skewed relative to the transport section through which it passes.However regardless of whether the document is straight or skewed it willproduce a magnetic profile.

A magnetic profile associated with the document is indicative that thedocument is genuine. This is because photocopies or other simulatedchecks generally would not include magnetic coding. Thus the sensing ofany magnetic coding on the document by the analysis module suggests thatthe document that has been inserted is a genuine check.

FIG. 28 indicates specifically the magnetic profile sensed as thedocument passes the magnetic sensors. This magnetic profile indicated164 includes data which indicates the magnetic areas on the check. Thismagnetic profile is correlated in the exemplary embodiment by therecognition subsystem with the optical profile to further verify thatthe check is genuine. Of course this technique is exemplary and in otherembodiments other approaches may be used.

As also represented in FIG. 23 movement of the document past thescanning sensors 132 causes data to be produced which is indicative ofthe optical characteristics of the document passing in the transportsection. This optical data is captured through the scanner card andincluded in the data store associated with the ATM. The scanning processis continued as the check 158 moves past the analysis module 162 asshown in FIG. 4.

As indicated by the twelfth step in the logic flow in FIG. 30 theterminal processor next operates to apply the rules which are associatedwith the programs stored in memory concerning the particular type ofdocument associated with the transaction. Generally at least one inputby the customer indicating that they are making a check deposit may becorrelated with certain stored data or rules which indicate theparticular characteristics of the document that is to be received. Insome cases the inputs may correspond to a particular sized document.Alternatively the rules may correspond to particular configurations orother characteristics. In this example the rules stored in memory arealso indicative of “windows” or particular areas in the documentlandscape in which data which should be analyzed on the document may befound.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment which operates to analyzecheck 158, the terminal processor operates in accordance with theapplicable rules recovered from memory as associated with a checkdeposit to deskew the data corresponding to the image and place it inregistration with an imposed coordinate system. This is done in theexemplary embodiment through use of a programmed series of steps whichfinds the boundaries of the image data. This is done by comparing thepixels which make up the image and generating at least two of the lineswhich bound the document. By identifying these lines, one or morecorners of the document may be identified. This process is representedin FIG. 34 by the skewed profile of check 158 which is shown in solidlines.

In the exemplary embodiment, after finding the two leading corners ofthe document 166 and 168 and the most closely adjacent trailing cornerto a “x” coordinate 170, the terminal processor operates in accordancewith its programming to adjust the data corresponding to the image. Theterminal processor first operates to adjust the image by rotating theimage data about corner 168. This causes the image to be “squared up”relative to the imposed coordinate system as represented by a phantomimage 172. The computer next operates to shift the squared up image datato a reference point of the coordinate system. This shifting places theleading corner 168 at the origin of the imposed x and y coordinatesystem. The leading corner 166 is placed along the “y” axis while thetrailing corner 170 is placed along the x axis. It should be understoodthat all of the pixels which make up the image data are correspondinglyadjusted through this process to produce the shifted image 174 which isshown in phantom in FIG. 34.

As represented by the fourteenth step shown in FIG. 31 the terminalprocessor next operates in accordance with its programming to applytemplate logic to the shifted image 174. The computer operates torecover from memory, data corresponding to at least one selectedtemplate. In exemplary embodiments a plurality of templates may bestored in memory and the selected one is recovered responsive tocustomer inputs to the machine, indicia read from the document or otherdata. In this step the computer operates to apply a template over theshifted image to identify for analysis “windows” within the image thatcontain data that is of interest. This is represented schematically inFIG. 35. In FIG. 35 a template is schematically indicated 176. Template176 includes a first window 178 which generally corresponds to an areain which a micr line on a check may be located. Template 176 furtherincludes a second window 180. Window 180 corresponds to an area of thelandscape on the check where a courtesy amount which represents thevalue of the deposited check may be located. It should be understoodthat these windows are exemplary and in other embodiments other oradditional windows may be included. It should further be understood thatthese processes for identifying windowed areas within shifted data arecarried out through operation of the computer and the recognitionsubsystem software and that these graphic representations shown in theFigures merely serve to explain the nature of an exemplary form of theanalysis that is carried out.

As represented in a fifteenth step shown in FIG. 41 the computeroperates to analyze the data in the window of the template whichcorresponds to the potential location of the micr line. This isaccomplished by the image control component 144 of the softwareanalyzing data from the data store. It should be understood that thedata within the particular window may or may not correspond to the micrline depending on the orientation of the document as well as whether thedocument itself is valid.

The computer then operates in accordance with a sixteenth steprepresented in FIG. 31 to pass the data extracted from the window 178.This character recognition software component is operative to apply thelogic used for optically reading micr symbols. In the exemplaryembodiment this is a logic associated with reading e-13B typecharacters. The character recognition software component 146 isoperative to analyze the data and make evaluations in looking for knowncharacters of the particular type. In the exemplary embodiment thecharacters represented which are resolved are processed to derive ASCIIvalues corresponding to the characters.

In a next step as represented in FIG. 31, recognition subsystem 142 isoperative to check the returned data for the presence of particularcharacters, in this case routing and transfer characters. Generallyvalid micr line data will include such characters and the detectedpresence thereof in the data analysis is an indicator that the micr linedata has been properly found and read.

At a nineteenth step shown in FIG. 31 the recognition subsystem software142 operates to determine if the degree of assurance or confidence asindicated by the character recognition component for the valuesreturned, is above a threshold. The determination of the level ofassurance is based on one or more values delivered by the patternrecognition algorithms in the character recognition software componentused in the exemplary embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment thethreshold is generally set at about a 70 percent assurance level. Asindicated in FIG. 31 the computer operates in response to itsprogramming to proceed based on whether the level of assurance is at orabove, or below the threshold.

As indicated in FIG. 31 if the level of assurance in the determined micrvalues is indicated as below the threshold and/or if routing andtransfer characters are not found, the recognition subsystem throughoperation of the image control software component, operates to furthermanipulate the image. In the exemplary transaction the computer operatesto manipulate the data to essentially transpose and flip the image 180degrees and to again read the data in the micr line window. It should beunderstood that in other embodiments the data corresponding to the imagemay be manipulated in other ways in order to attempt to translate theimage so as to find appropriate data.

As indicated in the twenty-first step in FIG. 31 the translated imagedata now in the window 178 is again read and passed to the characterrecognition software component 146. This again causes the output ofASCII values based on the characters in the window. As indicated in thetwenty-fourth step these values are then checked for the presence ofrouting and transfer values. As indicated in step twenty-five in FIG.31, if the micr values read have an associated level of assurance at orabove the threshold and routing and transfer characters are present therecognition subsystem is operative to proceed with further analysis ofthe image. However if the level of assurance remains below the thresholdand/or there are no routing or transfer characters, this may be anindication that the document is not valid. In embodiments of theinvention the ATM may operate to further transpose the data and conductadditional analysis. This may be particularly appropriate in situationswhere both sides of the document are being scanned and the document maybe in different orientations. In this case the terminal processor causesthe ATM to operate to return the document to the customer and to closethe transaction.

As represented in the logic flow which continues in FIG. 32, if thecharacters in the micr window are read with a level of assurance that isat or above the threshold and the routing and transfer characters arepresent, the terminal processor next operates to cause the courtesyamount data in the window 180 to be read. In the exemplary embodimentthe recognition subsystem operates in response to landmark rulesassociated in memory with the document type to assist the analysis infinding the courtesy amount within the window. These techniques mayinclude for example in the reading of a check, looking for the box orline on which the courtesy amount is written. In this case the value isa monetary amount. The amount may be printed or cursive characters. Itmay also look for known characters such as the dollar sign, the fractionsign, decimal point or star characters which are commonly included inprinted checks to indicate places before the dollar amount. Of course itshould be understood that the particular templates and landmark rulesused will depend on the programming of the machine and the type ofdocument involved. The machine may have access to stored datacorresponding to a plurality of templates and/or rules, and may applythem to documents based on data derived from customer inputs, thedocument, memory data or combinations thereof.

As represented in a twenty-eighth step in FIG. 32 the terminal processorfurther operates responsive to the recognition subsystem to binarize thedata in the courtesy amount window which essentially can be thought ofas reducing the sensed data to black and white. This further assists inidentifying the characters. The character recognition component 146 thenapplies its logic in looking for U.S. dollar type numerical characterswithin the data, and as represented in a twenty-ninth step in FIG. 32,the recognition subsystem outputs and ASCII values indicative of thecourtesy amount. In some embodiments the level of assurance associatedwith the courtesy amount is also analyzed to determine if it is above athreshold to verify that the amount has been accurately read.Alternatively, or in addition, the derived courtesy amount may becompared to the data input by the customer concerning the amount of thecheck. If there is a discrepancy and/or the level of assurance is belowthe threshold the check may be returned and the transaction closed.

The recognition subsystem further operates in accordance with thethirtieth step represented in FIG. 32 to check for the presence ofmagnetic ink on the document in the proper location. This is done in theexemplary embodiments by component 145 determining the length andconfiguration of the magnetic profile associated with the document. Thislength and orientation data may be normalized in the manner of the imagedata based on the imposed coordinate system, and compared therewith toverify that the magnetic areas correspond to the optical datacorresponding characters in the micr line. In addition certain documentsmay also include magnetic characters in other areas of the document.These other characters which may not necessarily be included within theoptically analyzed data, may be further checked to provide an indicationof the genuineness of the document. Of course in alternative embodimentsas previously discussed, the mere presence of magnetic ink on thedocument may serve as a sufficient indication that the document isgenuine.

As indicated in the thirtieth step in FIG. 32, if the magnetic datasensed does not properly correspond to the document the terminalprocessor operates to identify the document as suspect. The terminalprocessor then operates to return the document to the customer and toclose the transaction. However if the document has an appropriatemagnetic profile the terminal processor next moves to a step 31.

In the thirty-first step the terminal processor operates to configureand send an authorization message through the network to the host. Thisauthorization message will generally include the data appropriatelynecessary in an ATM transaction message for purposes of authorizing thetransaction. Such data may include customer identifying data such as PANand PIN related data, the transaction type and the amount input. Inaddition the transaction data may include data derived from thedocument, such as data representative of the data corresponding to thecharacters in the micr line as well as the courtesy amount read from thecheck as determined by the recognition subsystem.

It should be appreciated that providing the data read from the check innumerical or other compatible format as part of an authorization messageis useful for facilitating processing of the data compared totransmitting an entire image of a check to a host computer for analysisand authorization. In exemplary embodiments the check data may beincluded in a field in a Diebold 91x type transaction message or in aselected field in an ISO 8583 message. A host computer may readilydetermine the data included in such messages and analyze it for purposesof deciding whether or not to authorize the transaction.

In this exemplary transaction when the host receives the request messagefrom the ATM, it operates to determine if the customer data correspondsto an authorized user as well as whether the user is authorized toconduct the transaction requested. The operator of the host computer mayalso be enabled to apply certain rules, including preventing particularusers from cashing checks or limiting the amount of the deposited checkwhich can be cashed. Various types of rules may be selectively applieddepending on the particular user and the amount of the check. Inaddition the host computer may also analyze the account data on thecheck. This may include for example communicating with other systems ordata stores to determine if the account upon which the check is drawn isvalid and/or holds sufficient funds as represented by the courtesyamount on the check. The computer may also compare certain data such asthe courtesy amount read, to data input by the customer concerning thevalue of the check. The computer may also analyze aspects of the datasuch as the institution or the location thereof, upon which the check isdrawn for purposes of applying its programmed business rules and logicand in deciding whether to allow the user to deposit or cash the check.

In accordance with its rules and logic the host in the exemplaryembodiment returns a response message to the ATM. This is represented bya step 32. For purposes of this example it will be presumed that theuser is authorized to deposit or cash the check. Of course if the checkis not authorized to be deposited or cashed the response messageincludes data indicative thereof. The ATM will operate under control ofthe terminal processor in response to data indicative that thetransaction is not authorized to return the check to the user and toclose the transaction. Alternatively, if the check appears to befraudulent the ATM may capture and store the check.

As indicated by the thirty-third step in the exemplary embodiment theATM operates in accordance with its programming to display a graphicimage of the check deposited on its display 22. The terminal processoralso operates in a thirty-fourth step in the sequence to store a copy ofthe image file in a data store at the ATM. This image file may be laterrecovered for purposes of tracking and documentation. Such image filesmay be compressed for purposes of saving storage space. In the exemplaryembodiment the graphic image of the check is stored in memory as a PCXfile. In embodiments of the invention the image file may also beaccessed from or downloaded to remote computers connected to the system.

The computer next operates in accordance with a thirty-fifth step toprint a receipt for the customer. In the exemplary embodiment because agraphic image of the check is available within the ATM, a graphicrepresentation of the check may be included on the receipt provided tothe customer. In addition the terminal may operate to print a similargraphic image on a journal printer or in other hard storage within themachine. Alternatively or in addition, in machines including a camera orother image capture device, an image of the user may be stored and/orprinted in correlated relation with the check data, including on thereceipt, on the check and/or on a journal.

After printing the receipt the ATM next operates under control of theterminal processor to cancel and store the check. This is representedgraphically in FIG. 24. As indicated by the thirty-sixth step in thesequence computer causes the transport section to again move check 158in the direction of the arrow. The check is moved towards the depositholding module. In addition the terminal processor operates to align theappropriate document compartment so that its opening is in communicationwith the outlet of the transport section.

As indicated in a thirty-seventh step the check 158 is moved until it issensed adjacent to the printer mechanism 114. Upon sensing the checkadjacent to the printer the terminal processor operates to printcancellation data on the check. This cancellation data is printed on thecheck as it moves in the transport. This may include for exampleinformation about the user and/or the transaction, including images. Asindicated in a thirty-ninth step in the sequence, the transportcontinues to move the check until it is sensed as having passed into thestorage compartment. Such activity may be sensed through sensors similarto those previously discussed positioned adjacent to the outlet 50 ofthe transport. This is schematically represented by sensors 182 shown inFIG. 26.

After moving the check into the document storage compartment theterminal processor operates the translation mechanism 94 associated withthe deposit holding module to tamp the documents in storage. This isaccomplished as indicated by the fortieth step by moving the tampingmember 96 downward. This serves to assure that the documents in storageare compacted to the extent possible and assures that a larger number ofdocuments may be accepted before the need for removal of documents fromthe storage compartment.

In some embodiments, the terminal may operate in accordance with itsprogrammed instructions to provide the user with an output asking ifthey have further checks to deposit. The user may respond with at leastone input, and if so a portion of the transaction sequence can berepeated beginning with step 2 in the transaction sequence for example,to accept another check or other document. In such situations the valueof the further check or other document may be added to the value of theprior items. In some embodiments items which are deposited may havedifferent properties. For example, in some embodiments the machine mayaccept items that do not include magnetic coding. Such items may includeother features such as verification codes, symbols or characters thatare a function of other values or indicia on the items. Such items mayinclude for example vouchers issued by the machine for a differencebetween an amount the user was entitled to receive and the value of cashdispensed that could not be dispensed in prior transactions. The machinein such embodiments is operative responsive to its programming to adjustthe verification sequence to suit the particular document type beingreceived. The particular document type being received may be based onthe at least one input to the machine in the second step, indicia readfrom the document type, and/or other inputs or data.

In embodiments where a plurality of types of documents are accepted, themachine may operate in accordance with its programming to conduct ananalysis of the indicia on the document that is appropriate to verifythe particular document type. The document storage module may alsoinclude compartments for each type of item that is to be accepted. Inthis way different item types may be segregated to facilitate removaland sorting.

In embodiments of the invention the receipt of successive documents fromone user may continue for a plurality of checks, vouchers or other typeitems. If the items are verifiable as genuine by the machine andredeemable for cash or credit, the machine may operate to aggregate thevalue of all such items. The transaction sequence may continue to repeatbased on instructions and inputs to the machine in the transactionsequence. It should be understood that for purposes of the exemplarytransaction sequence there has been only one item deposited, and onlyone exemplary type analysis of a document which is a check has beendescribed.

As indicated in the forty-first step if the customer has requested adeposit only transaction during the transaction selection step, theterminal processor causes the machine to go to the forty-fifth step inthe transaction sequence. However if the customer has requested todispense cash based on the value of a cashed check, the logic moves tothe forty-second step. If the dispense transaction has been authorized,the terminal processor operates the cash dispenser to dispense an amountof cash. In some embodiments the amount of cash which may be dispensedmay correspond exactly to the amount of the check (less transaction feesin some cases) that has been presented by the customer. This may be donefor example in an ATM which includes coin dispensing capability. Howeverin many embodiments of the invention the ATM may be capable ofdispensing only certain denominations of currency. This may preclude thecustomer from receiving the exact amount of change to which they areentitled.

In circumstances where the customer cannot receive exact change thecomputer may operate to cause a voucher to be printed for the customer.The voucher may include for example a printed coupon or other item thatcan be redeemed for the amount of the change. This may include forexample a coupon redeemable with a merchant for cash and/or services ormerchandise. The user may be prompted through operation of the computerto provide at least one input which serves to select from severalpossible merchants from whom available vouchers are redeemable and inresponse to the user making a selection of a merchant the voucher isprinted with the corresponding merchant name and amount. The system maythen operate to provide a credit to the account of the merchant for theamount of the voucher. Such a voucher may include an image of the userfor purposes of verification that the person presenting the item is theauthorized person.

Alternatively the computer may operate to print and provide a check orother type negotiable instrument to the user. This negotiable instrumentmay be cashed like a check at the machine or at another location by theuser. Such an instrument may be input by the customer to the machine ina subsequent transaction. For example the machine may operate in thesubsequent transaction as previously discussed to accept several checksincluding the negotiable instrument previously dispensed. The user mayelect to cash the amount of these checks or have them credited to anaccount.

The machine may include among its transaction function devices check orvoucher printer devices. These printer devices may be supplied with astock of check media with magnetic coding that may be similar to othertypes of checks. The coding may correspond to the account of theoperator of the machine or other entity whose account is to be chargedfor the amount of change received by a machine user. In such embodimentsthe check is completed by a printing device with the amount of changefor which the check may be redeemed. The check may be printed by themachine with the user's name as payee based on the transaction datareceived, or alternatively made out to cash. Images of the user may beprinted on the check for authorization purposes as previously discussed.

The check once completed with the appropriate data and/or images may bedispensed from the machine to the user. The user may cash the check atthe machine on the current session or in a subsequent transactionsession, or at another location that accepts checks. In some embodimentsthe check stock provided in the machine may prominently display astatement of maximum value above which a check would not be valid. Thismay be for example, the smallest denomination currency bill dispensed bythe machine. For example if the lowest denomination bill that themachine dispenses is a one dollar bill, the value of change would alwaysbe generally less than one dollar, and the statement of maximum value ofone dollar which would conspicuously indicate to anyone redeeming thecheck that if it is above this amount it has been tampered with. Ofcourse the maximum amount may vary depending on the machine and itscapabilities. Also having such limited value checks in the machinereduces the risk to the machine operator in the event the machine isbroken into and the check stock is otherwise stolen. Alternatively themaximum value statement on the check may in some embodiments be printedby the machine itself.

Checks issued by the machine on check stock may include micr coding.Such checks may be verified by the machine in the same manner as otherchecks. Alternatively the machine may include a transaction functiondevice which provides vouchers, scrip or coupon material that isredeemable for cash, credit, services and/or merchandise. At someembodiments such items, which will be referred to as a voucher forpurposes of brevity, may have unique indicia or characteristics that areindicative of authenticity. Such indicia or characteristics may includeindicia readable by the machine. Such indicia may include a uniquemagnetic or visual characters and/or profile which is indicative thatthe voucher is genuine. Of course, such vouchers may in otherembodiments include visible or non-visible indicia including images ofthe user, which are capable of being read and used to verify theauthenticity of the voucher. As previously discussed, when such an itemis presented to the machine to be redeemed, the machine adjusts theverification steps in accordance with its programming as appropriate forthe particular type of document. This may be based on user inputs,information read from the document, or other data.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, the machine need not useany special media or paper to provide a voucher redeemable for cash (orcredit and/or merchandise). In such embodiments a printing device in themachine may print the voucher on non-unique media. This printer used forprinting the voucher may be a printer used for printing documents thatare not redeemable for cash, such as the receipt printer. This may beaccomplished by printing on the voucher one or more numerical codesand/or characters or symbols that are usable to verify the genuiness ofthe document. These may include for example numerical codes which are afunction of at least one valve associated with the transaction. Forexample the voucher may include verification indicia which is determinedthrough use of an encryption function based on a transaction number,user ID, amount, machine ID, transaction time, other values, images, orcombinations thereof.

The voucher including the verification indicia may be presented at themachine (and in some embodiments at other machines or establishments) tobe redeemed. In the case of presentation of the item at the machine, theverification indicia may be read with other values from the voucher.Because in this example no magnetic coding is used, the programming ofthe machine would cause the machine to not reject the voucher for lackof magnetic coding. The machine would operate in accordance with itsprogramming to determine the validity of the verification indicia. Thiswould be done using the particular appropriate algorithms and data. Thismay include for example recovering data from one or more data stores.Such a data store may include for example, data concerning whether avoucher corresponding to the one presented has been previously redeemed.For example the machine may operate to store in one or more data storeswhen the voucher is issued, data indicative that the voucher has beenissued. Such data may include data about the amount, the user, theverification indicia or other data. Then when the voucher is redeemed,either at a machine (the same machine that issued the voucher or anothermachine) or at another location such as a merchant location, furtherdata is stored to indicate the voucher has been redeemed. Suchprocedures may help assure that reproductions of vouchers are notredeemed for cash. If the voucher is verified as genuine it is acceptedfor cash value in the manner previously discussed. Of course theseapproaches are merely exemplary and other approaches may be used.

Alternative embodiments of the invention may also provide other ways forthe user to take or receive the benefit of an undispensed amount. Thismay include for example the user returning the change to an account withan institution. Alternatively the user may choose to apply the change tothe amount of an existing credit card balance or loan that is held bythe institution. In addition or in the alternative, the user may applythe undispensed amount to a particular charitable organization. Theoperator of the machine may track such donations over the year and sendthe user a statement for tax purposes. In addition the information maybe used by the charities to provide such tax documents directly, and/orto solicit further donations from the particular user. This isaccomplished in an exemplary embodiment by the machine providing theuser with one or more options through output devices, and the userproviding one or more inputs through input devices to select one or moreof the options for application of the difference. Numerous options maybe provided by the user in response to the programming associated withthe terminal processor and other connected computers.

As indicated at the forty fourth step in the sequence the terminalprocessor operates to cause a receipt to be printed for the userindicating the amount of the cash dispensed. This receipt may alsoinclude other information including the amount of change that the userreceived and an indication of how the value associated with this changewas either applied or provided to the user. Of course as previouslydiscussed, in this printing step the terminal processor may also operateto print vouchers, coupons, negotiable instruments or other items thatthe user has requested to receive.

As indicated at the forty fifth step the terminal processor nextoperates in accordance with its programming to prompt the user onwhether they wish to conduct another transaction. For purposes of thisexample it will be assumed that the user declines another transaction.The terminal processor next operates the machine to close thetransaction. This may include for example returning the card to thecustomer, outputting “thank you” messages or other appropriate stepsassociated with completing the transaction and/or readying the machinefor a next customer.

In the forty seventh step the terminal processor operates to send acompletion message to the host. As previously discussed the completionmessage generally includes data indicative of whether the transactionwas successfully carried out. In addition in some embodiments of theinvention, the completion message may also include data representativeof any change that was due to customer and how the customer chose toapply or receive the amount of change. The confirmation data included inthe return message may also include data representative of the issuanceof an item and/or the identity of the merchant or other entity to whom acredit is required to be issued in consideration of vouchers or couponsthat were dispensed to the customer. The completion data may alsoinclude a transaction number or data that can be used to identify orauthenticate a check or voucher issued to a user. Likewise the messagemay include data representative of loans, accounts or charities to whomthe customer may have elected to apply their change balance. Otherappropriate data indicative of the completion of the transaction may beincluded. The host computer operates in response to this message toappropriately close the transaction and to apply the funds accordinglyand to store data in one or more data stores in operative connectionwith the host.

As can be appreciated from the foregoing description, the exemplary formof the deposit accepting apparatus and system of the present inventionand its methods of operation, provides substantial advantages over priorart systems and methods. The exemplary system reduces the need tomanipulate documents. This results in increased reliability by reducingthe risk of document jams or other malfunctions. The exemplaryembodiment further reduces the need to achieve alignment of the documentfor purposes of reading or analyzing the data thereon. Generally as longas the particular document is presented in an appropriate transportdirection the data may be analyzed and manipulated so as to achieveauthorization of the document. It should be understood that while theexemplary embodiment shown analyzes indica on only one side of adocument, other embodiments may analyze indicia on both sides ofdocuments. This may be accomplished for example by having analysismodules on both sides of the document path. Such arrangements in someembodiments may enable documents to be reliably read and analyzedregardless of orientation.

It should be understood that while the exemplary embodiment of theinvention has been described as reading checks and vouchers, otherembodiments may be used for reading other document types. Such otherdocument types may include for example statements of charges such asutility bills, credit card bills and other statements of charges.Embodiments of the invention may further be adapted to read other oradditional types of coding such as one or two dimensional bar codes,other character sets, alphabets of various languages or othercharacters. Embodiments of the invention may accept only one type ofitem, or a plurality of types of items. Further, while the exemplaryembodiment accepts envelopes, other embodiments may not accept suchitems, or may accept other types of items.

It should be understood that the architecture of the computers andsoftware described is exemplary. Other embodiments may use differentcomputer and/or software architectures to accomplish the functions andmethods described. Further the one or more computers operating in anautomated banking machine may be programmed by reading through operationof one or more appropriate reading devices, machine readable media withinstructions that are operative to cause the one or more computers inthe machine to carry out one or more of the functions and method stepsdescribed. Such machine readable media may include for example one ormore CDs, magnetic discs, tapes, hard disk drives, PROMS, memory cardsor other suitable types of media.

The exemplary form of the present invention further facilitatestransaction processing by being able to verify and analyze documentimages within the ATM. This may avoid the need to transmit entiredocument images to a remote location for purposes of analysis. Furtherthe exemplary embodiment enables the application of processing ruleswhich facilitates analyzing required data and moving forward withtransactions only when such data is read with a sufficient level ofassurance that the data has been read accurately.

A further advantage of the exemplary embodiment of the present inventionis the ability of a single mechanism to reliably handle both sheet typematerials and envelopes. This avoids the need to include multipledepositories within a machine. In addition the exemplary form of thepresent invention also produces data representative of graphic images ofitems that have been placed into the depository. Images may be analyzedat the machine or forwarded to another device for verification purposes.Embodiments may be used to conduct payor and/or payee signature analysisincluding analysis for the presence of signatures and/or for thegenuiness of cursive signatures.

Another advantage of the exemplary embodiment is that items placed inthe deposit accepting apparatus may be read through imaging or othermethods and then returned to the customer. These may include items suchas driver's licenses, identification cards, passports or other articlesthat generally will not be retained within the machine. The exemplarydepository also has the capability of receiving documents, readingand/or capturing images and printing on them for purposes ofauthentication or cancellation and then returning them to the customer.This may prove advantageous for example in the case of customer bills orpayments where the customer is provided with a marking on the particularbill to indicate that payment has been made. In addition the exemplaryform of the present invention may handle numerous different types ofitems and documents in this manner. For example embodiments of theinvention may be used in applications such as issuing items such asdrivers licenses, license plate stickers, gaming materials, and otheritems. Embodiments of the invention may be used for redeeming items andissuing new or replacement items. Further advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent, and those having skill in the relevant artmay apply the principles of the claimed invention to numerousembodiments.

Thus the deposit accepting apparatus and system for automated bankingmachines of the present invention achieves at least one of the abovestated objectives, eliminates difficulties encountered in the use ofprior devices and systems, and attains the useful results describedherein.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been described asexemplary embodiments for purposes of brevity, clarity andunderstanding. However no unnecessary limitations are to be impliedtherefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and areintended to be broadly construed. Moreover the descriptions andillustrations herein are by way of examples and the invention is notlimited to the features shown or described.

Further, in the following claims any feature described as a means forperforming a function shall be construed as encompassing any means knownto those skilled in the art as being capable of carrying out the recitedfunction, and shall not be deemed limited to the particular means shownor described for performing the recited function in the foregoingdescription, or mere equivalents thereof.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated, any ofthe advantages and useful results attained; the new and usefulstructures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations,systems, equipment, operations, methods, processes and relationships areset forth in the appended claims.

1. A method comprising: (a) accepting a non-cash document into anautomated banking machine including a cash dispenser; (b) sensingfeatures on the document with the machine; (c) determining at least onevisible character corresponding to at least one visible feature in atleast one area of the document in which at least one visible feature issensed; (d) determining a magnetic profile in at least one area of thedocument in which at least one magnetic feature is sensed; (e)determining if the magnetic profile corresponds on the document to theat least one visible character; (f) including data corresponding to theat least one visible character in a transaction message sent by themachine to a remote computer that is adapted to authorize a cashdispensing transaction at the machine involving the document.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1 wherein in (e) determining if the magneticprofile corresponds to the at least one visible character includesbringing data representative of the at least one visible feature anddata representative of the at least one magnetic feature intoregistration with one another.
 3. The method according to claim 2wherein in (e) bringing the at least one visible feature and magneticprofile into registration includes imposing a common coordinate systemon both the data representative of the at least one visible feature andthe magnetic profile.
 4. The method according to claim 3 wherein in (e)imposing the common coordinate system includes determining a location ofat least one corner of the document, and placing a first corner at anorigin of the common coordinate system.
 5. The method according to claim3 wherein in (e) imposing the common coordinate system includesdetermining positions of a plurality of sides of the document.
 6. Themethod according to claim 5 wherein in (e) imposing the commoncoordinate system further comprises determining a location of a cornerof the document from the position of the plurality of sides, and placingthe corner at the origin of the common coordinate system.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein (b) includes sensing both visible andnon-visible features of the document.
 8. The method according to claim 7wherein (e) includes determining if at least one portion of the at leastone non-visible feature and at least one visible feature of the documentcorrespond.
 9. The method according to claim 1 and prior to (f) furthercomprising: (g) comparing data corresponding to features sensed on thedocument in (b) to at least one electronic template.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 9 and further comprising: receiving at least oneinput from a user of the machine; and wherein (g) comprises comparingthe data corresponding to the features sensed on the document to the atleast one template responsive to the at least one input.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 10 and further comprising, selecting the at least onetemplate from among a plurality of templates responsive to the at leastone input.
 12. The method according to claim 9 and further comprising:(h) reformatting data corresponding to the features sensed on thedocument, if in (g) the data does not correspond to the at least onetemplate.
 13. The method according to claim 12 wherein in (h) thereformatting corresponds to changing an orientation of featurescorresponding to a visible image.
 14. The method according to claim 13where in (h) the reformatting corresponds to changing the orientation ofthe image 180°.
 15. The method according to claim 12 wherein in (h) thereformatting corresponds to aligning the image in an imposed coordinatesystem.
 16. The method according to claim 15 wherein (b) includessensing both visible and non-visible features of the document.
 17. Themethod according to claim 1 and prior to (f) further comprising: (g)determining if at least one of certain visible characters is present inthe features sensed on the document in (b), and carrying out step (f)responsive to a presence of the at least one of the certain visiblecharacters.
 18. The method according to claim 17 wherein in (g) certainvisible characters include at least one micr character.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 18 wherein in (g) the at least one micr characterincludes a routing character.
 20. The method according to claim 19wherein in (g) the at least one micr character includes an accountcharacter.
 21. The method according to claim 18 wherein in (g) thecertain visible characters include at least one currency type character.22. The method according to claim 21 wherein in (g) the at least onecurrency type character comprises a dollar sign.
 23. The methodaccording to claim 18 wherein in (g) the certain visible charactersinclude a monetary amount.
 24. The method according to claim 17 wherein(g) includes determining if routing characters and a monetary amount arepresent in visible features on the document, and carrying out step (f)responsive to the presence of both such characters and a monetaryamount.
 25. The method according to claim 1 and prior to (f) furthercomprising: (g) determining if the at least one visible featurecorresponds to at least one known character with at least a level ofassurance, and carrying out step (f) responsive to the determinationhaving at least the level of assurance.
 26. The method according toclaim 1 wherein the document comprises a check and further comprising:dispensing cash from the machine responsive to at least one featuresensed on the check in (b).
 27. An article bearing machine readableinstructions operative to cause at least one computer in an automatedbanking machine including a cash dispenser to carry out a methodcomprising: (a) receiving a check into the automated banking machine;(b) sensing features of the check; (c) determining at least one visiblecharacter corresponding to at least one visible feature in at least onearea of the check in which at least one visible feature is sensed on thecheck; (d) determining a non-visible profile in at least one area of thecheck in which at least one non-visible feature is sensed on the check;(e) determining if the non-visible profile corresponds on the check tothe at least one visible feature; (f) sending at least one transactionmessage from the machine including data corresponding to the at leastone character; (g) dispensing cash from the machine.
 28. The articleaccording to claim 27 wherein (b) includes sensing at least onenon-visible feature in (d), wherein the at least non-visible featurecomprises a magnetic property.
 29. The article according to claim 27wherein the method includes: producing electronic image datacorresponding to the document; and imposing a plurality of electronictemplates on the image data.
 30. The article according to claim 29wherein each of the plurality of electronic templates include at leastone analysis area, and wherein the method includes analyzing at leastone feature sensed in (b) in the at least one analysis area for at leastone recognizable character.
 31. The article according to claim 30wherein in analyzing characters in the at least one analysis areacomprises determining if at least one recognizable visible character ispresent in a micr line of the check, and wherein (e) includesdetermining if the non-visible profile includes at least one magneticfeature corresponding to the at least one recognizable character.
 32. Amethod comprising: (a) receiving a financial check into an automatedbanking machine including a cash dispenser and at least one computer,wherein the check includes a micr line; (b) optically reading data fromthe micr line; (c) magnetically reading data from the micr line; (d)determining if the magnetically read data corresponds to the opticallyread data; and (e) responsive to a positive determination in step (d),operating the cash dispenser to dispense an amount of cash associatedwith an amount of the check.
 33. The method according to claim 32wherein step (b) includes reading an optical profile of the micr line,wherein step (c) includes reading a magnetic profile of the micr line,wherein step (d) includes determining if the magnetic profilecorresponds to the optical profile.
 34. The method according to claim 33and further comprising: (e) determining at least one dimension of anarea of the optical profile, (f) determining at least one dimension ofan area of the magnetic profile, (g) determining if the at least onemagnetic profile dimension correlates with the at least one opticalprofile dimension.
 35. The method according to claim 32 wherein the micrline includes a visible area and a magnetic area, and furthercomprising: (e) determining at least one dimension of the visible area;(f) determining at least one dimension of the magnetic area; (g)determining if the at least one visible area dimension corresponds tothe at least one magnetic area dimension.